Derriford is an area of Plymouth which is undergoing vast change. It's significant to the city's future and has been identified as a strategic growth area in the new emerging strategic plan for the city.
We first set out a proposal for a new District Centre in the north of Plymouth in its Core Strategy, which was adopted in 2007; this was part of a wider vision to establish a new heart for this part of the city which is multi-functional, well-connected and benefits the local community.
Why Derriford
Derriford has many strengths:
- Derriford and Seaton accommodates some 19 per cent of Plymouth's total population
- Derriford's unique location as the heart to the north of the city and central location which utilities its easy access to the city centre, Dartmoor, Cornwall and Exeter
- Many bus routes congregate in Derriford, and the hospital is the second most accessible location in the city by bus after the city centre
- The area has a stunning network of green valleys, including Local Nature Reserves, and Derriford's raised location on the ridge between them provides long range views (including views of Dartmoor and Plymouth Sound)
- The area has a rich heritage, including Crownhill Fort and other scheduled ancient monuments, and surviving sections of Leat
- Derriford Hospital provides hospital services beyond Plymouth's boundary and is a major employer in the area, it also supports numerous businesses in the medical services sector
- Derriford is a strategic location for the sub-region, and is recognised as the second location of Plymouths 'bi-polar' economy which is established as a hub for knowledge based firms
By capitalising on these strengths there is opportunity to:
- Ensure people know they have arrived in Derriford
- Create a stronger identity and focus to the area
- Create a new hub for public transport and where communities can meet and use services
- Create opportunities for people to live near to where they work
- Reduce the over-reliance on using cars to travel in and out of the area by creating a new public transport hub
- Open-up fragmented green spaces that are not easily accessible
- Better recognise and use historic and environmental assets
- Capitalise on long distance views to the coast and the countryside
- Conquer current transport infrastructure issues in Derriford
- Grow and nurture Derriford's current economic focus and role in the wider city
In order to address the challenges, our vision is to create a sustainable mixed-use centre at the heart of the north of Plymouth. The district centre is critical to this vision and is therefore promoted in both the adopted Core Strategy and the emerging Plymouth Plan.
The document below aims to explain the policy and historical context for the Derriford and Seaton area:
Where we are now
We're currently awaiting planning applications for the creation of a new District Centre. Several potential developers put forward their sites during the Area Action Plan process and in representations made to us. We're currently engaged in detailed pre-application discussions with the following developers who would like to deliver the District Centre on their site:
- Glacis Park/South West Water site (Tavistock Road/Sendalls Way). Promoted by developer: SWW, Dawnan Ltd, Pennon Group Plc, Peninsula Properties (Exeter) Ltd, AE Stuart & Sons
- Former Seaton Barracks site (Tavistock Road/William Prance Road). Promoted by developer Petros (with land currently owned by Plymouth City Council)
As there is room for only one District Centre, the developers have both agreed, by signing a document called a 'Framework Planning Performance Agreement (FPPA)', that if the applications are received within 12 weeks of one another, they can be assessed and decided together.
The Framework Planning Performance Agreement also requires the developers to carry out their own community engagement programmes to seek the views of the community.